008 - Dependence on God

Learning to Do Nothing: Dependence on the Father

In John 5:30, Jesus makes a profound statement:

“I can of My own self do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just; because I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me.”

Let’s pause and consider the weight of these words. This is Jesus, the Son of God, declaring His absolute dependence on the Father. How much could Jesus do on His own? Nothing.

If the Son of God, in all His perfection and divinity, relied entirely on the Father, how much more should we?

A Life of Dependence

Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently modeled complete reliance on the Father. He wasn’t operating out of His own divine power, but in constant submission to the will and direction of the One who sent Him.

• “As I hear, I judge...” – Jesus didn’t act on impulse or personal wisdom. He listened intently to the Father’s voice.
• “My judgment is just...” – His decisions were always right because they were rooted in God’s perfect will, not His own desires.

This wasn’t just a theological point—it was a practical reality that shaped every moment of His life. Jesus was teaching His disciples (and us) a crucial lesson: don’t rely on your own strength or wisdom.

Apart From Me, You Can Do Nothing

Later in John 15:5, Jesus emphasizes this truth again:

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

What does “nothing” mean? It means nothing. No spiritual fruit, no lasting impact, no true success apart from abiding in Christ.

To abide in Him means:

Abiding in His Word – Meditating on Scripture, letting it shape your thoughts and actions.

Listening to His Voice – Learning to recognize the quiet prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Surrendering Daily – Choosing to rely on His strength and guidance rather than your own.

Jesus demonstrated this kind of dependence perfectly. He didn’t make a move, perform a miracle, or give a teaching without the Father’s direction.

Learning to Hear and Obey

Jesus invites us into this same rhythm of dependence. It’s not about striving or doing things in our own power—it’s about hearing His voice and responding in obedience.

The key is abiding. Abiding isn’t passive; it’s an active, intentional relationship where we stay connected to Him through prayer, study, and listening.

When Jesus said, “As I hear, I judge,” He was showing us how to live:

• Hear first.
• Act second.
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Our lives often feel hurried and noisy, but hearing His voice requires slowing down, making space, and cultivating a posture of dependence.

A Practical Challenge

Ask yourself:

• Am I relying on my own strength or wisdom to navigate life?
• Am I actively seeking to hear His voice before making decisions?
• Do I believe that apart from Him, I can do nothing?
• 
  

The more we abide in Christ, the more we’ll recognize His voice, and the more fruitful our lives will become. Jesus didn’t rely on His own divinity but on the Father’s will. If He lived that way, so must we.

A Prayer of Dependence

Lord, teach me to live in complete dependence on You. Like Jesus, I want to hear Your voice and respond with obedience. Help me to let go of self-reliance and abide in You daily. I know that apart from You, I can do nothing. Thank You for inviting me into this beautiful relationship of trust and surrender.

May my life bear fruit that reflects Your glory, as I learn to do nothing apart from You. Amen.